The Carleton Place Fire Department (CPFD) responded to a structure fire at a commercial and residential building on Sunday, Sept. 29.
Around 4 p.m., the brigade was dispatched to 17 Moore St., with mutual aid provided by the Mississippi Mills Fire Department, Beckwith Fire Department and Drummond/North Elmsley Tay Valley Fire Rescue (BBD&E).
“BBD&E stood by for us at our hall,” CPFD assistant fire Chief Matt Anderson told Inside Ottawa Valley.
The Fire Dispatch Centre in Smiths Falls, which handles communication services for all fire departments within Lanark County, reported “multiple 911 calls” about the fire.
Flames and heavy black smoke were visible from the structure’s third storey as emergency responders arrived.
“All residents were able to evacuate,” Anderson stated.
He credited the building’s fire alarm system and smoke alarms.
The structure, comprised of six residential and two commercial units, is owned by Jackson Homes Ltd. The president is Josh Jackson, who attended the fire scene.
In a post on her Facebook page, Naomi Jackson, Josh’s wife, wrote: “The news no one wants to hear has happened. Everyone and every animal are out safe.”
She praised “two gentlemen who ran in without hesitation to get our tenants out.”
Naomi thanked the CPFD for extinguishing the fire, and she called the community “amazing” for coming together “in times like this.”
According to Anderson, the cause of the fire is under investigation.
Two onlookers indicated they heard an explosion before the fire.
The Carleton Place Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) conducted traffic control, and the Lanark County Paramedic Service (LCPS) attended in case of public or firefighter injury. Also present: Hydro One and Carleton Place Public Works.
Owing to the blaze, there was fire damage to the exterior of the building and its roof and attic, along with water damage on the third floor from suppression efforts, Anderson noted.
“A big shoutout to Mississippi Mills and Beckwith fire departments and special thanks to chief Williams (Mississippi Mills fire Chief Mike Williams) for his help,” Anderson said.
He also gave kudos to OPP, LCPS and Carleton Place Public Works for their assistance.
Incident command was terminated just after 7:30 p.m.